Fun as Trade Union Tet fair

The Trade Union Tet fair night, which was organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) in collaboration with Binh Duong province from January 6 to 8 at provincial Labor Culture Center attracted thousands of workers in the province. During the program, many meaningful activities were carried out by trade unions at all levels to bring employees a warm and meaningful Tet.

Workers feeling happy under care

As noted by reporters, this year's Trade Union Tet fair program had 70 stalls from 70 businesses participating in selling discounted goods for employees. Most items here were very essential such as rice, fish sauce, clothes, shoes, confectionery... at cheap prices, suitable for workers' pockets. Moreover, they were all discounted from 20%-50%, so the shopping volume of workers for Tet was very large.

Nguyen Van Nam (middle), a worker of Chyang Sheng Company is very happy when being guided how to use his Tet train ticket by a Trade Union official

Holding a voucher worth VND 300,000 given by trade unions at all levels, Quach Thi Lich, a worker of Thong Dung Shoes Co.Ltd. in Thuan An city said: “In general, this year's Trade Union Tet fair is very diverse in types of goods with cheap prices, suitable to workers' pockets for Tet shopping. I personally find this to be a meaningful program for workers. We hope that in the coming time, Trade Unions at all levels will continue taking care of and paying attention to the lives of employees."

Workers’ joy of going to the Trade Union Tet fair was multiplied when thousands of disadvantaged cases were supported by trade unions at all levels with gifts worth VND 500,000 and VND 1 million in cash each. Nguyen Thi Hue, from Phu Tho province, a worker of Thong Dung Shoes Co., Ltd. immediately went shopping for Tet after receiving VND 1 million in support from the program.

Mrs. Hue confided: “This year, the lives of company's workers are still guaranteed with the income of over VND 10 million per person per month together with Tet bonuses. I and my wife can secure the monthly income of about VND 20 million. However, my family is a difficult case of the company because there is the first daughter with serious heart disease. Trade Unions at all levels have paid much attention to the families of workers with difficult circumstances. We are very grateful and continue sticking with and accompanying businesses in the coming years…”

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, from An Giang province, a worker of Nam Phuong NB Co., Ltd. In Thuan An city said: "This year, the garment-textile industry was greatly affected, so 800 workers in the company also faced difficulties. Although working here for many years, we have only earned less than VND 6 million per person per month in recent months. Receiving support from all-level Trade Unions at the end of the year, we are very happy because of having money to buy clothes for our children as well as necessary items for Tet holiday.

Sentimental tickets

At the Trade Union Tet fair night, the Organizing Board of the program also awarded thousands of return train tickets for workers to return their hometowns for Tet. Holding the ticket in hand, Nguyen Dan Truong, from Ha Tinh province, a worker of Pir Sheng Company in Thuan An city said: "I haven't been home for 13 years. In general, it's not that I can't afford to buy a bus ticket to visit my hometown, but then I was too busy with work, family and many problems. I thank provincial leaders, Trade Union at all levels for their efforts in creating favorable conditions for workers living away from home to have meaningful Tet gifts like this time. After the Tet holiday, I will come back to work on time, even though I know the company is still facing difficulties."

And Trieu Thi Sen, from Ha Tinh province, who works in the same company with Truong, was also happy when being given a train ticket to return her hometown for Tet. She said: “During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, I sent my 2 children back to my hometown, and since then, I have not visited them. 6 years ago, I visited my hometown once with a Tet train ticket given by the Trade Union. This is a very meaningful program for workers living away from home during the Tet holiday”. Sen has a difficult situation. She and her husband have been divorced for many years and she now raise 2 small children alone. In recent months, due to economic influence, her income has been only VND6 million per person per month, which is only enough to pay rental charges and raise children.

Given a train ticket to his hometown for Tet, Nguyen Van Nam, from Thanh Hoa province, a worker of Chyang Sheng Company in Thuan An city is counting every day to be reunited with his wife and children in his hometown. Nam confided: “My wife and 2 children returned to their hometown during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although operating in the garment-textile industry, we are happy that our company has not been affected much, ensuring workers ‘average income of VND10 million per person per month. My wife used to work as a worker, but she could not continue working, due to poor health. I hope the company will continue stabilizing production, and I will be healthy enough to work and take care of their small family in the coming years."

At this year's Trade Union Tet fair, the Organizing Board of the program also organized 3 “zero dong” booths for workers with difficult circumstances; gave away 2,500 free vouchers with a total value of VND 750 million for employees with difficult circumstances; offered round-trip train and bus tickets to thousands of workers to return their hometowns for Tet. Along with that, the Organizing Board of the program also implemented many other significant activities such as providing free health check-ups, organizing art performances, lucky draws with valuable prizes like motorbikes, televisions, refrigerators, phones...

Reported by Quang Tam-Translated by Kim Tin

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